- Max Kuehn
Pets have a range of distinct personalities, and so as a result, many pet owners spend time trying to ascertain the interests that their furry friend would enjoy. Perhaps there is a question that has been circling through your mind as well: Do dogs like music?
But before we get to the latest studies, let’s consider a couple of real-life experiences that prove that dogs have a very clear musical taste.
Dogs Who Knew Their Tunes
Dr. George Robinson Sinclair, an organist at Hereford Cathedral, London was his name. He was the owner of a Bulldog named Dan and was close friends with Sir Edward William Elgar, a well-known composer.
Dan and Elgar became close friends after Elgar discovered Dan’s musical talent. Dan used to growl at choir members singing out of tune during choir practice, which was embarrassing for him and Sir Elgar.
Sir Elgar was not the only one to notice that Dan can have an excellent musical quality. Richard Wilhelm Wagner had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Peps. Peps was given a stool to help him with his composition in his study.
How did this happen? Wagner would play the piano or sing while watching Peps’ reactions. Some tunes would cause a relaxed response, while others would provoke a nervous or excited response.
Wagner developed the “musical motif” from his observations. This is a musical motif that links specific musical keys to certain dog’s mood or emotion in opera.
These were just two examples of the many reports that scientists received, which prompted them to seek out more information. What song do dogs prefer? Or at the very least, certain keys and tempos. According to one study, we can.
Dog-soothing Music
Deborah Wells’s study showed that dogs who listen to heavy metal or grunge music were more likely to be stressed, agitated, exhausted, anxious, and irritable.
Spector and her colleagues create classical music arrangements to calm anxious cats and dogs. Spector, a concert pianist and Juilliard grad, discovered music could help dogs.
Her discoveries led to the creation of 15 hours worth of music, a portable player called the iCalmDog, and music for cats.
Spector explains that there is a significant difference between the traditional arrangements and their arrangements. “Classical music has such a wide range… Our arrangements have been simplified. Because lower frequencies calm the canine nervous system, it’s lowered.
It simplifies so that any listener can switch from active listening to passive. People can calm down and the energy is transferred to the other end.
Do Dogs Like Music?
Does the dog have musical preferences? Although most people would not believe it, have you ever heard dogs howling when they hear a particular song or instrument being played?
Radosta states that dogs may like music, but it all depends on their own individual music preferences. Music may be a soothing option for dogs who are stressed.
The dogs went from barking and standing to lying down and resting. Another study found that hospitalized dogs who listened to harp music had better breathing and heart rate than dogs who didn’t.
It was found that dogs respond to music, and have a particular taste in music. Dogs are not big fans of heavy metal music, for example. Dogs became hyperactive when heavy metal was played and began barking like crazy.
Dogs didn’t notice any difference in their behavior when listening to pop music or human conversation. Classical music did seem to have a soothing effect on dogs, as they seemed to be less vocal and spend more time lying down.
Recent research has shown that animal shelters respond best to the soothing sounds of an audiobook and not classical music. Why is this?
Radosta believes that the most important thing is a rhythmic sound that drowns out other noises, such as those from hospitals or dogs barking.
Which Genre Do Dogs Choose?
Different dogs respond differently to different types of music. Try different genres on your dog.
There is plenty of evidence and research that your dog likes the type of music you listen to. Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCA, cites a few studies that show that dogs respond well to classical music but can be agitated by loud and aggressive music.
Dogs often fall asleep to classical music. Pop music, as Britney Spears is cited, did not cause any change in the dog’s behavior.
Is there a particular composer that you can play to your dog when you have guests over? Although dogs don’t seem to prefer Mozart or Brahms, a study published in Animal Welfare found that Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata was the most popular choice.
Nelson suggests that you play music at low volumes to get the best effect on your dog’s calmness. You need to resist the urge to blast the Bach.
Music And Dog Anxiety
Most dogs experience anxiety when there are fireworks and thunderstorms. Dogs with noise aversion can also be sensitive to everyday musical aspects of the sounds. Radosta says that dogs who won’t leave their house are almost always suffering from noise aversion.
We used to believe that the dog’s behavior was due to something else. However, we now know that around 20% to 40% of dogs are afraid of noises.
Music Dogs who are anxious about the outside world can have a calming effect by relaxing music or audiobooks. A happier pet could be achieved by blocking out distressing sounds. Radosta suggests that music can be used to help dogs who are stressed.
What Kind Of Music Do Dogs Like?
What kind of music do dogs like best? Dogs have their musical preferences just like people. You can experiment to discover which music your dog prefers.
Radosta suggests classical music as an excellent place to start. Keep an open mind. One of my clients likes reggae music.
Dogs spent more time resting when exposed to classical and more time barking when exposed to heavy metal.
He found his dog calmed down when it was playing during storms. She explained that the music was familiar and comforting for the dog.
Pop music did not cause any reaction in the music dogs that were listening to it. The dogs reacted to heavy metal with barking and agitation. Classical music had a soothing effect. Wells stated, “It is well known that music can affect our moods.”
“Classical music, such as, can reduce stress levels, whilst grunge music can cause hostility, sadness, and tension.”
An audiobook, one of the Spotify pet playlists, or iCalmDog are all options. This is music that’s tailored to dogs’ hearing ranges. Radosta states that it’s a smart idea to turn on something before you leave your dog alone.
She explains that you want to play music loud enough to drown any barking dogs during the day. It also provides stimulation for a bored dog.
Dogs spent significantly more time lying down and significantly less standing when music was being played.
FAQs
Are Dogs More Comfortable Listening To Music Or Quiet?
Although studies on dogs’ music preferences might point you in the right direction (in the direction of soft rock or reggae), there is no definitive evidence that dogs prefer music to any other noise.
Are Dogs Attracted To Music When They Are Left Alone?
Owners like to make music for their dogs, even if they’re not at home. Dogs can feel anxious if they are left alone. Music can be played in the background to help your dog feel less lonely. It can also help reduce stress from outside sounds that could cause anxiety.
Is Music Good For Dogs?
It may be a good option for dogs who are stressed. In 2002, a landmark study compared the responses of shelter dogs to pop and heavy metal music, as well as silence and human conversation. The study found that classical song has a soothing effect on dogs.
Conclusion
So, do dogs like music? The short answer is yes. It seems that dogs love soothing music. Your dog might appreciate it if you put the Black Sabbath on and played a little Beethoven.
Fidlar hopes you find this article helpful. If not, let us know what topics you’d like to see in future blog posts, and we will do our best to cover them!
